Variations in Gas Safety Protocols Across Cities: Understand Local Gas Safety Checks

Gas safety is one of the major concerns for the authorities in the UK. Every year many incidents of fire and explosions are reported from different areas. Besides the fire and explosions, another serious risk associated with gas is carbon monoxide poisoning. Fire or explosion causes damage to properties and possible injuries or deaths to the occupants. On the other hand, carbon monoxide emissions do not damage the properties. It directly hits human health and may even lead to death.

To minimize the possibility of gas accidents, a comprehensive law, the "Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998," was formulated in 1998. Various amendments have been made to the basic law from time to time to make it more effective. Similarly, the "Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996" was enforced on 1 April 1996.

This law deals with the gas supply in the gas conveyance network and the possibilities and extent of leakage. It also applies to matters related to the composition and pressure of gas in the supply network. Though applicable to different entities, both these laws collectively regulate the safe use of gas for domestic and non-domestic purposes.

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

The basic law that regulates the safe use of gas for domestic and non-domestic purposes is the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, as amended occasionally. Compliance and adherence to these regulations ensure the safety of people and properties. Hence, stakeholders must have at least the basic requirements of these regulations. Here's a summary of these crucial requirements:

Gas Safety Regulations - General Provisions  

• Landlords are responsible for conducting annual gas safety inspections on all gas appliances and related pipework installed in the rented property, including boilers and flues.
• A gas-safe registered engineer must conduct annual gas safety inspections.
• After the gas safety inspection is successfully completed, the gas-safe registered engineer will produce a gas safety certificate, also known as gas safety records and more commonly referred to as CP 12.
• This certificate is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed before its expiry date.
• Landlords are required to give a copy of this certificate to current tenants within 48 hours and to new tenants within 28 days.
• Any gas appliance installed by the tenants is not included in the annual inspection; the tenant is responsible for its maintenance and service.

Gas Safety Regulations - External Gas Pipe Network

• External gas pipes should be made of corrosion-resistant material to ensure durability and reliability.
• Before laying the pipes, ensure that these are properly insulated. Cover the pipes with insulation material that should be weather-resistant.
• External pipes need to be buried up to the stipulated depth in the ground, to ensure safety of the pipes.
• Any part of the external pipe network that has to run above the ground should be properly supported to ensure its safety.

Gas Safety Regulations - Internal Gas Pipe Network

• Internal gas pipework needs extra care, both during installation and subsequent maintenance.
• These pipes should be installed on the premises to ensure their safety. They should not be installed in areas that remain in common use to ensure their safety against damage from accidental hits or shocks.
• Internal pipes should be made up of material compliant with UK safety standards.
• Internal pipework needs regular inspection and maintenance, especially to avoid any leaks.

Gas Safety Regulations – Gas Cookers

• Use the latest gas cooker versions, which comply with the UK Safety Standards.
• Ensure that the cooker is installed by a qualified engineer, preferably a gas-safe registered engineer.
• Make sure to provide sufficient ventilation to the area where cookers are installed.
• Ensure regular maintenance and service to avoid any emissions or leaks.

Gas Safety Regulations – Hobs

• Hobs should be installed by a qualified gas engineer, preferably by a gas-safe registered engineer.
• No flammable material should be placed in the near vicinity of a gas hob.
• A minimum of 50 mm space should be left vacant on the sides of the hob.
• A minimum 760 mm space should be available on the top of the hob, which means any cabinets, etc., should be installed above the level of 760 mm from the top.
• Ensure regular maintenance and service of hobs

Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996

Gas Safety (Management)Regulations 1996 primarily deal with the transportation of gas. Some of the requirements of these regulations are summarized below:

• These regulations apply to the following persons/services/organizations who are dealing with the transportation of gas from one point to the other:

1. Gas conveyors
2. Gas shipper
3. Terminal operators
4. Service providers

• The persons/organizations responsible for the conveyance of gas need to ensure the following:

1. No person can convey gas in a network if he has not prepared a safety case. The relevant executive authority must also approve this case
2. There must be a sole emergency reporting person for the whole network.
3. If more than one person is to convey gas in the network, there must be one sole coordinator for the entire network.

• All gas transporters must prepare a safety case and get it approved by the Health and Safety Executive before launching the operation.
• All gas transportation networks are required to have an emergency reporting service provider who is available on the telephone to report any gas escape or other gas mishap during transportation.
• Where more than 1 gas transporter is working, the network must appoint a network emergency coordinator (NEC), which is subject to approval from the HSE.
• Emergency reporting service should be equipped with and reachable through a single telephone line.
• Suppose an emergency service-providing personnel intends to quit the job. In that case, he must give notice in writing to the Executive and other relevant persons at least six months before the effective date. He would seize to be in that capacity with effect from the date notified by him.
• A safety case has to be reviewed every three years and approved by the Executive.
• The person conveying gas in a network should invariably follow the terms and provisions of the accepted safe case.

Variations in Gas Safety Protocols Across Cities

The requirements and provisions of the gas safety (installation and Use) regulations 1998 as explained above, are applicable in the UK for all rented properties, the core responsibility resting with the landlords. Similarly, the gas safety (management) regulations 1996, as summarized above are also applicable in the UK for all the gas supplying companies. The main objective of these regulations is to ensure the safety of people and properties in the UK.

Territorial Jurisdiction of Gas Safety Regulations

The gas safety regulations are equally applicable in the following regions:

• England
• Wales
• Scotland

All the provisions of the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 are applicable in England, Wales, and Scotland, in general, particularly the following:

• The Commencement dates
• Qualification of the person conducting a gas safety inspection
• Materials and workmanship
• Safety Precautions
• Protection against possible damage
• Emergency safety plans and controls
• Gas meters, installation, and safety aspects
• Installation of Gas Regulators
• Installation and upkeep of gas pipework
• Installation, maintenance, and service of gas appliances
• Responsibilities of Landlords

The above-cited regulations do not apply to Northern Ireland. The gas safety matters in Northern Ireland are governed by the “Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994”, as amended from time to time, the latest being “Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004.”

Understand Local Gas Safety Checks

The provisions of both the above-cited gas safety regulations for England, Wales, Scotland and the Northern Irelands, the relevant gas safety regulations are generally applicable in the relevant territories. However, local authorities might impose additional regulatory requirements in different cities like London, Bradford, Edenborough, or any other local government.

Mostly, such regulations are imposed by the Fire Fighting Department and other such departments responsible for the safety of people and properties. These regulations are also important and need to be complied with locally without affecting the compliance of basic gas safety regulations applicable to respective territories of the UK.

The applicable gas safety regulations in the UK, including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, do not significantly vary.

Conclusion

Gas is considered the best domestic, commercial, and industrial fuel source. It is economical, environment-friendly, and the safest energy source. However, gas cannot be rated as a zero-risk fuel. It has potential risks, like explosion, fire, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Accordingly, various rules and regulations have been formulated by the authorities in the UK to ensure the safety of people and properties against the possible threats of gas. The prevalent rules and regulations governing the use of gas for domestic and non-domestic purposes are equally applicable in England, Wales, and Scotland.

In contrast, Northern Ireland is governed by a separate set of rules specially formulated for that territory. Additionally, the local Governments sometimes also impose various legal requirements that are applicable locally. Otherwise, there are no significant variations in the gas safety laws.